Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket

[SeamUp]

Can't describe how I feel. All I can say is, he brought far more than just the 9000-odd test runs to South African cricket. I actually saw it coming but now that it is reality it hasn't sunk in yet. Our game is losing some big players.

Castle Lager Proteas Test captain, Graeme Smith, will end his 347-match International career after the third Sunfoil Test against Australia at Sahara Park Newlands.

Smith broke the news to his team mates after close of play earlier today.

Speaking of his decision Smith said: "This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life. It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year. I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years-old.

"I have always been someone who has left everything out there on the field for my team and for my country. I'm extremely honoured and proud to have had the privilege to lead so many wonderful players and to have been a part of building the Proteas culture to what it is today. It is a culture that every player can be, and is, immensely proud of," Smith continued.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the support from my parents and brother, my wife and children, my friends, my sponsors, my fans and to Cricket South Africa. I thank and honour the players who I have played with and those who have supported me and helped me to be the person and captain I am today. I have been fortunate to have had many highs, amongst them leading and being part of the best Test team in the world. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bid my career a fond yet sad farewell," the 33-year-old added.

Cricket South Africa reacted with surprise to Smith's decision, but CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, was full of praise for the contribution made by one of the true legends of the game.

"Although Graeme's decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time," commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. "Knowing him as well as I do, having been instrumental as a selector in appointing him as a young captain, he would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.

"He has captained the Proteas for more than a decade and he will draw a lot more satisfaction from the fact that he leaves our Test team at the top of the world and in such good health rather than from all the personal records he has achieved as the longest-serving captain the game has ever seen in the demanding Test format. He also led South Africa to the World Cup semi-final in 2007.

"I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth innings victory chases of all time. These included setting up the 414 runs chase against Australia at Perth and his series-clinching innings at Edgbaston in 2008, not to mention the unbeaten century the last time he faced Australia at Sahara Park Newlands in 2011.

"His role in setting up the famous 438 win over Australia in 2006 was also a performance never to be forgotten.

"He can leave the game with pride and he thoroughly deserves the gratitude of our nation for leading the Proteas with much distinction. From a personal point of view I am thrilled that I was part of the panel that appointed him captain in 2003 when his first major assignment was a tough tour to England and I feel privileged to see him now move on to the next stage of his career. He has been a mighty warrior, a leader of men and an exceptional part of our international cricket.

"Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from Test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind."

Smith made his first-class debut for South Africa at the age of 21, and ends his illustrious career with 17 228 International runs and as the most capped Test captain in the history of the game. "

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Wow. That's a surprise. Changing of the guard for South Africa and he's going to be nearly as hard to replace as Kallis.

 

[Expressway76]

Tbf, he's been doing the international thing since he was 21, it must get tiring after a while especially when you have a young family to care for.


That's 2 Graemes the crims have forced into retirement in the last few months

 

[SeamUp]

One last time ? 4th innings key knock ?

1) Graeme Smith needs 18 runs in this match to overtake Tendulkar for the most runs in the 4th innings of Test in 19 fewer innings.

2) Graeme Smith is one of only 5 players to have 4 fourth innings Test hundreds. No one has more.

3) Graeme Smith has the joint highest number of scores of over 50 in the 4th innings of Tests with 13. (Tied with Shiv Chanderpaul)

4) In the 4th innings of Tests where the team has won no one has more runs than Graeme Smith. 1141 runs at an average of 87.76

 

[morgieb]

Good win for benchmark00.

 

[GIMH]

Alastair Cook breathes a sigh of relief

 

[adub]

Yeah shares in Skidmark00 Pty Ltd shooting up past the 3c barrier.

(seriously though very call from 00)

 

[Adders]

Alastair Cook breathes a sigh of relief

Exactly my first thought when I saw this news. Vaughan and Strauss sending well done messages to M Clarke as we speak.

Seriously though Smith has been a gun, one of my fav players of this era and the game and especially South African cricket is all the poorer for his retirement.

 

[SeamUp]

Exactly my first thought when I saw this news. Vaughan and Strauss sending well done messages to M Clarke as we speak.

Seriously though Smith has been a gun, one of my fav players of this era and the game and especially South African cricket is all the poorer for his retirement.

Don't forget Nasser. Its where it all started.

Never forget that toss when Nasser called him Greg. Couple of double hundreds later, he definitely knew what his name was.

 

[Adders]

Doh, brain fart from me.

 

[theegyptian]

Not many would have the maturity or willpower to take the captaincy at 22 and last as long as he did as captain. Credit to him.

Good news for Surrey you'd imagine as presumably he'll make use of his irish passport and become a domestic registered player.

 

[Jono]

This would have been a win for benchmark had he not hedged his statement. What a shame this is, could have been a great moment for him where he finally makes up for the embarrassment of Sydney Swans premiership win in 2012.

 

[Smudge]

That's 2 Graemes the crims have forced into retirement in the last few months

Graeme Labrooy putting his comeback on ice as we speak.

 

[Woodster]

Was never Smith's biggest fan as a bloke (probably something petty in the back of my mind about him sledging the likes of Vaughan and KP) and was never over-enamoured with his style of batting, the ugly looking shovels through mid-wicket off deliveries from well outside off stump, but he was a big example of mental strength succeeding over technical deficiencies. Of course he had his moments where every bowler thought they could trap him LBW, but his strength through the legside was also to be admired.

South Africa not only lose a top class opening batsman, they lose a player that has gained so much respect from his team and everyone that follows cricket. He could come across brash and arrogant in his younger years but he developed into a very, very fine and hugely respected leader.

 

[Blocky]

Smith was one of the greats, an opening batsman averaging near 50 when most of his matches were played on the spicy South African wickets and a guy who united the South African team, led it with distinction from an early age (both in years and in test matches). He'll be heavily missed by South Africa.

 

[dermo]

this is a real win for benchmark00 pty ltd, brings him back to parity following his #dayoftaste

 

[Furball]

I can't believe that the young pup who captained South Africa in 2003 is now 33. **** sake.

 

[Bahnz]

Wow, huge loss for South Africa. One of the best opening bats in the world over the last decade. Hope that he can go out on a high.

 

[fredfertang]

'appen Smith going into retirement will bring Richard out of his?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Hasn't looked the same since the injury last year. Been a bloody great captain for them over the years.

Thank god he has gone and won't score any more doubles against us.